Lubricating system



Feb. 16, 1943. L. T. MILLER- LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed July 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l OIL (/EIVT L ENG/NE 6 ENG/NE Feb. 16,1943. L.. T. MILLER 2,311,069

' LUBRICATING SYSTEM F'iled July 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 16, 1943. L. T. MILLER 2,311,069

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed July 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet -II'IIUT Feb. 16, 1943.

l.. T. MILLER 2,311,069

-LUBRICATING SYSTEM v Filed July 1e, 1941 5` sheets-sheet 4 v a/L com Ef? Feb. 16, 1943. T, MILLER 1,069

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed July 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented itil. 1c, 194s I ,time

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Application `luly 16, 1941, Serial No. 402,569

(Ci. isi-s) 16 Claims.

This invention relates to lubrication systems, and particularly to such systems intended for use with engines which are subjected to wide variations of heat and cold.

It is Well known that the usual lubricating oils thicken when cooled, and therefore do not pro- .vide proper lubrication. The introduction of a lighter, less viscous lubricant during periods of starting, when the engine is cold, has been suggested. However, no satisfactory arrangement for introducing the diluting lubricant into the system has been provided.

The present invention is particularly applicable to a system which includes an oil cooler and an oil tank having a warm-up compartment. It has been found that in the usual system the forcing of coldV oil through the oil cooler reduces the eiiiciency of the pump and is likely toY damage the oil cooler.

Theprimary object of the present invention is inlet 4 and an oil outlet 6.

to provide a simple yet eective construction for ensuring proper lubrication of the engine at all temperatures, while reducing the pressures required and avoiding damage to the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple means for introducing a diluent into the oil in a lubricating system in such a manner as to ensure its proper distribution through, and thorough admixture with, at least that portion of the oil which will be used for lubrication, upon the next cold starting of the engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means to cause the oil to flow directly to the warm-up compartment, regardless of the temperature of the lubricant and at the same time add a diluent so that a` quantity of low viscosity lubricant may be provided for the next cold starting of the engine.

A further object of the invention is to produce an arrangement of this type which avoids the flow of cold oil through the'oil-cooler so as to prevent damage thereto. More particularly,

means are furnished Yfor by-passlng the oil cooler when so desired.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- A vide a valve arrangement for automatically permitting the ow of diluent when oil is being bypesed around the oil cooler, this valve closing off Y Iprovide both a manual means, operable at will,

and `an automatic means, responsive to the temperature of the oil, for regulating the by-passing and the diluent introduction.

Further objects and advantages will be seen from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

.which form a part thereof.

In the drawings: Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 show diagrammatically lubricating systems embodying my invention;

Figs. 2,l '7 and 10 are cross sections through.

valves for use in the systems shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 9 respectively;

Figs. 8 and 11 are diagrams of the electrical circuits for the valves of Fig. '7 and Fig. 10 respectively; and

Figs. l2 and 13 are views of the right and left ends respectively of the valve of Fig; 10.

As shown, the invention is applied to a system for lubricating an engine 2 having an oil A pump 8 forces oil under pressure into inlet 4.

In the form shown in Fig. 1,'pump 8 draws oil from the outlet 9 of an oil tank I0 having a central warm-up compartment I2. The oil outlet 6 from the engine leads to a valve I4 to which are connected pipes I6 and I8. Pipe I6 leads to an oil cooler 20, the outlet of this being con` nected by pipe 22 to a second valve 24, to which connects pipe 26 leading to the oil tank I0. Pipe I8 leads to a valve device 28, shown in detail in Fig. `2, from whicha pipe 30-leads to valve 24. Finally, a pipe 32 connects valve 28 to a suitable source of a diluent such as gasoline or the like. Valves I4 and 24 are both provided with suitable connections for manual remote control of this positions.

As shown in Fig. 2, valve 28 has an inlet 34 connected to pipe I8, an outlet .36 connected to pipe 30, and a diluent inlet 38 connected to pipe 32. Between inlet 34 and outlet 36 is a port 4I! which vis normally almost entirely filled by a piston 42, the stem 44 of which has a pointed end 46 forming a needle valve adapted to close inlet 38. A coil spring 48 normally holds this valve in closed position.

, This mechanism operates as follows: In normal operations, valves I4 and 24 are set to direct the oil from engine outlet 6 through oil cooler 20 to oil tank I0. However, when starting the motor if it is cold, and just before stopping, it is often desirable to introduce into the lubricant a certain'amount of a diluent, so that the lubricant is less viscous. Upon starting the motor, it is both unnecessary and undesirable to circulate a cold lubricant through the oil cooler, as the pressure required might burst the cooler. -To accomplish these two purposes, the operator turns valves I4 and 24 to the position shown in Fig. 1, so that the oil cooler is ley-passed'.

As long as only slight pressures are present in valve 28, caused by leakage cr in any other manner, these can equalize each other by leakage through the small space around piston 42.

, to that of Fig. 41. lHowever, there is included 1n the outlet line 8 of the oil tank an oil temperature regulator 58,-i'or' example of the Pratt and Whitney type. Valve |4 is connected by pipe 54 to valve 24 and by pipe 58 to oil cooler 28. Pipe 28 from valve 24 and outlet 22 from oil cooler 28 both lead to oil tank I8, the former to warmup compartment I2.

In this construction, as in Fig. l, the valves |4 and 24 may be set to produce normal ilow, or, in

' the position shown, to by-pass the temperature regulator and oil cooler.' In the latter case, valve the by-passed oil.

In the form shownv in Fig. 4, the oil coo1er 58 is of the known type having a. core section anda vdevice 28 produces the addition of a diluent into jacket section, in the latter of which comparatively little cooling'takes place. The oil may pass through the jacket section only, in which case it is only slightly cooled, or through both the Jacket and core, in which it is highly cooled. Outlet 88 for the jacket leads to valve 24, while pipe 28- leads to warm-up compartment i2 ottank I8.Vv Core outlet 82 leads to the main portion of tank It. 'Ihis device operates in the same general fashion.- When'the engine is cold, the operator may adjust valves I4 and 24 to by-pass the oil coolerV entirely, and at the same time to produce dilution of the lubricant by valve 28. This diluted oil ilowsthrough the warm-up compartment, so

that the whole body of oil in tank I8 is'notdiluted, butonly the small circulating. portion thereof. Even after the valves are restored to their normal positions, pipe 88 conducts the oil from the jacket of the oil cooler to the compartment |2. It' is only when the oil has become warm and passes through the' core and core outlet that it mixes with the-bodyl 0f 011 in the,

tank.

The form shown in Fig. 5 is similar in general to that shown in Fig. l. However, instead of the valve device 28, pipe 82 is connected directly to line i8, 88, and the diluent is added by a suitable pressure'ln its line. Valves I4' and 24 lare connected by a link 84 so as to be operated jointly.

Fig. 6 shows a circuit generally similar to that of Fig. l, but utilizing a single device 88 which has the functions of both ot valves i4 and 28. The'valve itself is shown in Fig. 7. It has an oil v inlet 88 forA connection to engine oil outlet 8; a

normal oil outlet *18 connected by line I8 to oil v cooler 28; and a second oil outlet 12 connected by line 14 tc tank'l8. Inlet 88 leads into acylindrif cal chamber 18 which has two rings of ports connected to outlets 18.-and 12 respectively. A sleeve 18 -slidable in the cylinder can cover one or thev other of these sets oi' P0118.

In the top cf the chamber 1t le a' diluent inlet of a solenoid 88, sq as to raise the rod when the solenoid is energized.

Arranged in the oil' inlet 68 is a thermostat 82 which is connected to solenoid 98 by the circuit shown in Fig. 8. A manual switch 84 is also provided in this circuit.

'I'he operation is as follows; Normally, oil ilows from the engine to inlet 88 and through outlet 18 to the oil cooler. If the oil is too cold, however, thermostat 82 is closed and energizes solenoid 98. This raises rod 84 'and moves sleeve 18 up to close` the ports to normal outlet 18 and open them to by-pass outlet 12. At the same time, valve 82 is raised and permits the diluent to enter through inlet 88. Thus the oil is simultaneously diluted and passed around the oil cooler. Before stopping the engine, the intro--A duction of .diluent may be obtained by closing manual switch 94.

Fig. 9 shows a circuit using an4 oil cooler of the 'type described in connection with Fig. 4. 'Ihis modiilcation utilizes the valve 95 shown in Figs. 10, 12 and 13. 'I'his valve has inlets 95 for connection to the engine oil outlet 8; 98, |88 for connection to the jacket and core respectively oi oil cooler 58 by pipes |82, |84 respectively; |88, for connection to diluent supply pipe 32; and |88 'for a by-pass ||8; as well as outlets ||2 leading by pipe ||4 to oil cooler 58 I 8 leading to by-pass ||8; and ||8 leading 'to oil tank I8 by pipe |28.

Within the valve is a body |22 mounted to turn. This is shprter than the casing so as to provide chambers |24, |28 at the ends. Passages |28, |88 are provided in opposite ends to Aprovide connections to outlet ||8 and inlet |88 respectively.

88,188 respectively. A

A depending chamber |38 near outlet 8 contains two solenoid coils |48, |42 each adapted to operate on a. core |44. 'I'his core has a conical valve portion |48 adapted to close inlet |86. Plvoted to the core at |48 is a link |58 which is also pivotally connected to a pin |52 extending from '.upward.

In chamber |28 is arranged-a two-contact thermostat |58, the contacts of which are connectan eccentric point in the end face of valve body |22. A coil spring |54 normally urges core |44 ed, by the circuit shown in Fig. 11, to Aone and both, respectively, of the coils |48A and |42. vA

manual switch |58 for selectively energizing coils- |48, |42 may alsobe provided.

This device operates in the following manner:

Normally, oil from the engine will ilow from the vengine to chamber |24, passage ig'fpipe ||4,

jacket and core of oil cooler 58, pipe |84, passage, |88, chamber |25 and outlet |I8 to tank I8. If,

however, the engine is cold, thermostat |58 will close the lower contact |8|| and will energize both coils |48, |42. Thiswill pullcore |44 .fully down connected topipe 82,. This is controlled by a conicalvalve section 82 on'a rod 84 which is .connectedtosleeve 18. -Acoilspring 88 normally holds sleeve 18 vin its lower position, so as to close .outlet 12. Rod 84 is connected'to the core 88 and through link |58 will turn valve body |22 to the position shown in the drawings. Oil willthen now through chamber |24, passage |28, by-

. pass l8, passage |88 and chamber |28 to outlet ||8. At the same time, valve surface |48 will be moved down to open the diluent inlet |88, so as to permit the diluent to enter and mix with the lubricant.

' As the oil warms up, thermostat |58 moves to the upper contact |82 and energizes only coil |42. 'I'his permits partial upward movement oi' core |44, which turns valve |22't0 an intermediate position in which passage |84 communicates withI Passage |22 connects,with outlet ||2, z while passages |84,y |38 can connect with inlets l inlet 98. Oil then ows through the jacket only of the oil cooler.

` While I have described herein some embodiments of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except Within the scope of the appended voir for lubricant, a circuit for conducting lubricant from the reservoir to the engine and back to the reservoir, an oil cooler in said circuit, selectively operable means toby-pass oil around said oil cooler, and means controlled by the ow of lubricant through said by-pass means to in-1 troduce a diluent into said by-pass means.

3. In a system including an engine, a reservoir for lubricant, a circuit for conducting lubricant from the reservoirto the engine and back to the reservoir, an oil cooler in said circuit, selectively operable means to by-pass oil around said oil cooler, and means controlled by the flow of lubricant through said'by-pass means to introduce a diluent into said by-pass means, said last means closing o the ow of diluent when no lubricant is flowing in the by-pass means.

4. In a lubricating system, means for introducing a. diluent into the system, and means controlled by the ilow of lubricant in a portiono! the system to operate said rst means, said first means closing oi the ow oi diluent when no lubricant is flowing in such portion of the system.

5. In a lubricating system, means for introducing a diluent into the system, and means controlled by the temperature of a lubricant in means, said rst means closing oi the ow of diluent when no lubricant is flowing in such. portion of the system. l

6. In a system including an engine, a reservoir for lubricant, a circuit for conducting'lubricant from the reservoir to the engine and back to the reservoir,van'oi1 cooler in said circuit. means to by-pass oilaround said oil cooler and ing a valve therein, spring means normally' holding said valve closed, and a piston connected to said valve and arranged in said portion oi the system to be actuated by the dow of lubricant therethrough.

l0. In a. device as claimed in claim-6, said last means including a diluent supply means having a 'valvetherein, means to direct lubricant to said by-pass means, and means connecting said valve to said last means to be operated thereby.

11. In a,device as claimed in claim 6, said last means including a diluent supply means having a valve therein, means responsive to the temperature of oil in said system to direct lubricant to said by-pass means, and means connecting said'valve to said last means to be operated simultaneously therewith.

12. In' a lubricating system for an engine, a reservoir for lubricant having a main section and a Warm-up compartment, a supply conduit for conducting lubricant from the reservoir to the engine, a normal 'return conduit from the engine to the main section of the reservoir, and a secondary returnv conduit from the engine to the warm-up compartment, means to change the flow from one return conduit to the other return conduit and means to add a diluent to the circulating lubricant, after the ilow has changed from the normal to the secondary conduit.

13. In a system includingan engine, a reservoir for lubricant, and a circuitV for conducting lubricant from the reservoir to the engine and back to the reservoir, an oil cooler in the return portion of saidcircuit', selectively operable means to by-pass oil around said oil cooler, and return said oil to said reservoir, and means to introduce a. diluent into said circuit when the oil is owing through the by-pass and to stop -a portion of the system to operate said vrst means operated upon operation of said by-fpass o means to introduce a diluent into said by-pass means.

7. In a system including an engine, a reservoir for lubricant including a warm-up compartment,` and a circuit for` conducting-lubricant from the reservoir to the engine and back to the reservoir, an oil cooler in said circuit, selectively operable means to by-pass oil around said oil cooler and return said lubricant to said warm-up compartment, and means to introduce a diluent into said circuit when the oil is owing to the warm-up compartment and toA stop the introduction of said diluent upon the stoppage of ow of lubricant to the warm-up comg partment.

8. In a device as claimed in claim 4, said first means comprising a diluent supply means having a valve therein, and a piston connected to said valve and arranged in said portion of the system to be actuated by the ow of lubricant i therethrough.

9. In a. devicev as claimed in claim 4, said am the'introduction of said diluent upon thevstoppage of -ow of lubricant through said by-pass.

14. In a lubricating system for an engine, a reservoir having a-main section and a warm-up compartment, a supply line from the reservoir tothe engine, and a normal return line from the engine whereby lubricant is conducted to themain section of the reservoir, a secondary line whereby lubricant visconducted to the warm-up compartment, selectively operable means to direct oil now in the secondary line, and means to add a diluent to the circulating lubricant after it has been directed Ato flow in the secondary line.

15. 1n combination 1n o lubrication system' for an engine, a reservoir for lubricant, a supply.

line to conduct lubricant from the reservoir to the engine, a return line to conduct lubricant from the engine to the reservoinand a valve in the return line to introduce a diluent into said return line.

16. In a lubricating system for an engine, a

reservoir for lubricant having a main section and a vwarm-up compartment, a supply conduit for conducting lubricant from the reservoir to the engine, a return conduit for connecting the engine and the reservoirl and including a..pri'

mary portion communicating with the main compartment of the reservoir anda secondary.

portion communicating with the warm-up compartment, oi the reservoir, means to direct returning lubricant through either the primary or secondary portions of' the return conduit and meansto add av diluent to the lubricant circulatine in said system.

LESLIE T. IVIIIJTJER.v l 

